US says WikiLeaks suspect's treatment 'tailored'

Closing arguments are nearing the end in a pretrial hearing for an Army private charged with giving U.S. secrets to WikiLeaks.

The Associated Press

Closing arguments are nearing the end in a pretrial hearing for an Army private charged with giving U.S. secrets to WikiLeaks.

A prosecutor said Tuesday that Pfc. Bradley Manning's tight restrictions at a Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Va., were tailored to his individual situation by jailers who wanted only to keep him from harming himself or others.

Manning's lawyer said earlier that a Marine Corps general was fearful of negative publicity if Manning were hurt, so he made sure Manning was confined for nine months in conditions so harsh they amounted to illegal punishment.

Manning is asking the military judge to dismiss all 22 charges because of his treatment. They include aiding the enemy. That offense carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.